Friendly Auto Care

I came in to get a potential issue with my car checked. I arrived around 1:30 PM and they were busy enough that I had to wait about 30 minutes before they could look at my car. It turns out that everything was fine, so then I just had my car oil changed, since it was due for one anyway. I was pleasantly surprised at how relatively cheap it cost to get an oil change here, as opposed to other places I’ve been. That took about 40 – 45 minutes, and I just alternated between reading a book and observing the fish and frog swimming in the small fish tank in the corner of their little office room.
While I was sitting in the office reading and fish-​watching, I saw other people come and go. A couple people came in around 2:15ish and asked to get their car checked, but had to be turned away because the shop was already full and booked for the rest of the day.
I can’t confidently give them 5 stars because I came for such a small service, but it’s also because when I first showed up, I wasn’t sure who to go and show my car to. I just saw a bunch of dudes congregating together in one section of the lot, and no one came over to talk to me as I walked up to the shop. Maybe they were all on break, or something though, so I guess that’s fine, haha.

Wonderful service and quick installation. Got my rotors and pads fixed very fast, other shop told me will takes 3 – 4 hours waiting for appointment, but they fixed in 2 hours without waiting.

Good service and reasonable price. Especially for some simple stuff (oil change, brake changes), you really don’t need to go to the dealership and pay a lot. Technician there are friendly and nice, always give me best suggestion, but not trying to sell me a lot of unnecessary parts.
The only downside is that they are always busy — few times I had to wait for a while for someone come and check on my car.

my car had over 100K miles and austin worked on several issues, including the clutch/​flywheel/​rear main seal/​axles/​brakes/​drive belts. what i appreciate most is his honesty and really looking out for my car. the price quotes are reasonable and i would definitely recommend this shop!

Friendly auto care gets five stars I bring my work trucks here to get service. The main thing I like about this place is there honestly I can’t stand dishonesty especially when it comes to cars something that’s not my strong point

No one likes being stuck on the side of the road. especially in 95 heat while with a baby. (eek!) When it happened to me, I called these guys to see if I could have my car towed there. They immediately sent someone to look at my car and took me and my baby to their shop to wait in the air conditioning. How amazing is that?! True life savers. I couldn’t thank them enough! Austin then took me back to my car (twice thanks to the two truck being sent to the wrong address) so I could meet the tow truck guy. Parts for my car had to be ordered, but I got the call saying my car was ready early the next morning. I could have gotten it fixed for a little cheaper else where, but this customer service is hard to beat. Friendly (who would have thunk it? =p) and quick. I’d definitely come back, but hopefully I won’t have to. ;]

Austin is a man of his word and his prices are the most affordable in this town. I am so happy that I found him on Unilocal and will be taking my BMWZ4 to him for all the work.
The shop did excellent work on my oil change and the front and back brake pads. I was able to walk over to a café and got back my car in the 2 hours that Austin said it would take.
Very reasonable price tag for all the work. thanks FAC!

Terrible place. I brought in my 94 camry to fix the starter around march. They replaced the starter and I drove the car back home and was fine. Then, about 2 weeks after the car would randomly not start. I would sit in the car and keep trying to crank and crank the keys but wouldn’t start. Called the shop and the guy says he will replace with another starter. Okay, so I brought it in for him to fix.
Now, I’m thinking the problem is finally fixed… but NO! A week after, the car is still having problems and it is now June. The car would randomly not start and makes a very loud screeching sound when I try to crank the keys. I don’t know what the problem is and the owner was not very attentive in solving the problem for me. I have a feeling he is using some crappy rebuilt starter part to replace the starter, or else why would I keep having this problem? I am completely not satisfied and would not recommend this place!
Since the shop is very busy now, the owner would not take his time to carefully fix your car. Whenever business gets too busy, and you don’t train your staff right… your quality of work will decline.

Best auto care in the bay area!
my car was maintained by Austin and his team since 2011, they charged reasonable and gave the best services.
I recommended to everyone especially if you speak Chinese, you will feel like I am at home.

I’ve been frequenting this location for all my auto needs in Northern California for years now!
Austin and his guys are honest and efficient. I call in to make sure they can fit me in their schedule and usually can get same day service.
Been here for various jobs… oil change, new tires, brake pads– you name it! Very honest with pricing and quotes.
Today I stopped by for new brakes and an all over inspection before shipping my car to the Midwest.
PS– fun conversation while waiting :-)
Thanks Friendly Auto Care!

I actually mean to give ZERO stars.
I had a check engine light turned on in my 2001 Honda civic — and I wanted the issue fixed. I chose this place because of the relatively positive reviews on Unilocal.
When I got there, he checked the codes on my car — which took all of 1 minute, and told me that it would not be worth fixing the car. He mentioned — among other things, that the transmission coil is busted — which would cost $ 2000 (more than the value of my car). I tried to ask for more details about what exactly was wrong — but he didn’t know — and was unwilling to check. The only thing he was willing to do was read the codes.
I then went to another place — where they actually looked at my car. and told me there was nothing serious wrong with my car. I just had to replace the gas cap, and a couple other minor tune-​ups. They also told me at this second place that codes once turned on do not turn off by themselves — so the transmission coil code had been on for a few years (since I had got my transmission fixed previously).
I don’t understand how this Friendly Auto care place could have got such good reviews! I was amazed by how this guy was not even willing to check and see exactly what was wrong with my car!!! Moreover, he was not even willing to tell me in detail what was wrong with it :/​
DEFINITELY not going back there again.

Dishonest business practice.
I have mixed feelings about this place because my initial service from them was good. They took me on short notice and were able to quickly solve why my truck wasn’t starting. Shortly after, my truck started sputtering when accelerating so I went back. New wires, new fuel filter. Truck still doesn’t feel right. I go back weeks later, this time it could be a coil or the fuel pump. I get a phone call telling me my fuel pressure is low and I need a new pump. Scheduled the appointment. Got quoted $ 450 for the pump and $ 250 for labor. Seemed a little high so I called another mechanic. This mechanic tells me $ 450 is the list price but he can get it for $ 250. Great I can save some money. When I get to the new mechanic he tests the fuel pump and my FUEL PRESSURE IS FINE. The coil is fine too. Turns out a spark plug is corroding. He changes the plugs and the after market wires I got installed by Friendly and my truck runs great.
Don’t lie to my face and expect not to get called on it. I’ll never know if they knew about the spark plug the whole time, or knew the after market wires weren’t right for my truck. Can’t prove that but I know for a FACT there was never a fuel pump issue. It’s been tested 3 times now.
I would rather just walk then have work done here again.

In the past I haven’t been particularly loyal to any mechanic or car repair shop because I always like shopping around for good deals, but this isn’t the case any longer. I have received such spectacular service here that I feel compelled to come whenever my car is having an issue, and I have also referred friends and family members to this location.
My first visit here was a few months back when I needed an oil change, and the service was fast and courteous despite the fact that they seemed pretty busy when I arrived. I was told that one of my axles needed to be replaced, but the man I was speaking to seemed very honest about the need for the repair. He told me that the repair could wait, and educated me on the condition of the car and how long I would be able to go without getting it fixed. I went ahead and got the repair just to be safe, but I really appreciated how honest he was with me.
Shortly after this repair I was about to leave the city and suddenly realized my blinker wasn’t working. I called and quickly drove over to the shop and Austin fixed it in less than five minutes without even charging me!
I came back to the shop a few months later because I needed a smog and I had barely passed two years prior so I thought I should get a repair done before attempting another test. Austin spoke with me while looking at my previous test from two years prior and told me that I should get another test done anyway before getting repairs just in case I don’t actually need repairs or would need additional work done in order to pass. I took his advice and sure enough I got the same exact score I had previously and didn’t even need any repairs! He could have just taken my car on the spot and done the repairs without being sure but he was nice enough to verify my need for the repairs before doing so.
This place is honestly the best and when you come here you feel like you are treated like family. I refer people here all the time because I don’t think you can get much better service than this.

I’d say 4.5 stars, but if I have to round, they get rounded up.
I can see what people mean — the cultural divide might translate their direct communication as rude, but maybe I’ve just been around enough types to recognize when people are actually rude, I dunno — they just struck me as efficient. They were to the point on the phone («honda civic? you need this done? Ok this much bring it by»), and then when I came in it was ‘sign the paperwork — give keys — k we’ll call you’ and they went off to fix the issue.
I like that the owner has his mom helping him out, and he works directly with his employees. He doesn’t over sell you on things, and just fixes what needs to be fixed, which is frankly refreshing when going to a mechanic.
If that isn’t enough, the biggest win? His prices are insanely cheap. I got my car looked at elsewhere, and they quoted me $ 320 for break pads, $ 150 for transmission fluid, without labor — these guys? Total was $ 240, WITH tax and labor. So, I ended up saving over 50% by going to them! Will definitely do all my fixes and oil changes here, you just can’t beat the price and the work is just as good as the expensive mechanics.

I went here because I read all the great Unilocal reviews so I decided to give them a try. I called on a Thursday afternoon and spoke with Austin. I told him that I was having problems with my clutch and that I needed them replaced. He told me to come in the next morning and he would have my car done first thing Saturday morning. After dropping off my car Friday morning, he promptly checked in with me that afternoon. He let me know what he was doing, what he was ordering, and he answered all of my questions I had with regards to the repairs. Most mechanics I’ve dealt with in the past usually get impatient when customers ask them questions like this.– but not Austin.
The prices were great. I compared them to at least a dozen shops in the area and they were by far the most fair.
I will be definitely coming here again if I have problems with my car.

Company name definitely reflects who they are and what they do. Austin and team guarantees great customer service and satisfaction. They are very honest, easy-​going, accommodating, and reliable. You can trust that they will take care of you.
I took my Hummer H2 here to get its Gear Box and Power Steering replaced. My car drives like its brand new. I will be returning here for more work. Trust in good turn around time, price, and solid work.
Thanks again!

This place is awesome. Price is good. Works are great.
Came here for clutch work and suspension replacement.
Crews are skillful, cool, and friendly!

This place is very reasonably priced! I always come for an oil change and they are very fast!
Friendly auto care will always be my go to place if my car needs fixing…
Austin & the staff will surely help you !

Check this place out! This is one of the extremely few honest places to bring your Vehicle to. They get very busy, so please be patient with them. They do get it done and I’m sure you want it done correctly, right? Things do come up and no one can determine the future. Yes, time is precious but sometimes, things just cannot be rushed. Working on a vehicle is just like working on a human body. You don’t want to rush the surgeon so you should not rush the mechanic!
Other alternative is the dealership where it will cost you, your two arms and a leg if lucky and waiting for it may take a few days to a month. Plus, no one is honest, that is why all the Service Writers have their High end cars parked in the back because they tell you, you need this and that but in reality, you don’t need it.
So, give it a try. Got nothing to lose but lots to gain. Trust, Friendly, Knowledge!

I came here for oil change. Even though I arrived 10 min before they closed, they still took my request as a walk-​in. The staff are very FRIENDLY (lived up their name!) and the entire process took only 20 min! They also checked my tire pressure and refill my fluids.
The price is very reasonable and I would definitely come back here again!